AN: Thanks for the reviews, follows, faves, views, and Christmas wishes! The response to this story has been nothing short of amazing. I love reading all of your theories, observations, and insights! New chapter!

December 31st

Riley did her best to hold in her giggles as Darby applied eyeliner around her eyes.

"If you don't hold still, you're going to have a black blob instead of a perfect wing tip," Darby chided her.

"When are the guys coming over?" Sarah asked, looking at the clock anxiously from her perch on a chair as Maya stood behind her with a curling wand.

"We get it you miss Zay!" Maya said, rolling her eyes.

Smackle threw some popcorn at the blonde. "Don't be so hard on her. It wasn't that long ago we all had to listen to you crooning over whether or not your dreamboat would be your soulmate."

"I wouldn't have such a hard time holding still if you all weren't insane!" Riley teased.

Darby ignored her as she answered Sarah. "Yogi and Charlie are meeting Zay and Lucas at the pizza place at 6. We ordered so much they all are going to have to carry it back."

"Speaking of dreamboat," Smackle said, ignoring Riley as well, "Will Josh be making an appearance at our little get-together?"

Maya shrugged. "I told him to go do his thing, but he kept insisting on meeting up at midnight."

Once again Darby's parents were spending the holiday at a gala in DC, but this time Darby was having a much smaller get-together. The girls had decided to have spa day beforehand, getting mani/pedis, doing facials, and now they were making themselves over.

"So, Riley, who will you be kissing at midnight- Charlie or Lucas?" Darby teased, causing Riley's eyes to snap wide open, which thankfully for her face, Darby was prepared for.

Sarah chuckled. "I know!"

"What to do you know?" Riley asked urgently. "You know nothing!"

Smackle scoffed. "Oh, please! We all know about you and Lucas. You are horrible at being inconspicuous."

"I don't know what that means, but if she means you suck at being sneaky, I agree," Maya said, as she put the finishing touches on Sarah's hair. "Your turn, Smacks."

Sarah moved over the bed as Smackle took her place on the chair.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Riley insisted, her face turning red as a smile came unbidden to her face.

"Well, that hickey sure does give you away," Darby said, gesturing to your neck.

"Plus Zay says you two were all over each other on Christmas Eve. And Lucas didn't come home that night!" Sarah needled.

"Sa-rah!" Riley squealed. "Don't go spreading that around!"

"I promise that won't leave this room," Sarah assured the brunette. "I just want to know what's going on."

Riley shrugged as her blush deepened. "Nothing really..." Upon everyone's incredulous looks, she continued, "I mean, we have kissed a little, but mostly we just talk. He's not at all like everyone thinks he is."

Sarah nodded. "Zay has been telling me some great Lucas stories. It sounds like he used to be a really sweet kid before he moved here."

Riley nodded eagerly, switching seats with Sarah since she was done with her makeup and hair. Feeling somewhat relieved to be able to gush about Lucas, she began to speak, "He is really sweet! Sometimes I have to remind myself he's the same person who ran through nearly every girl in the sophomore class."

Darby wouldn't meet her eyes as she riffled through her makeup bag. "Aren't you a little bit worried that you were just the next girl on his list?"

Riley shrugged, picking at an errant string on Darby's comforter. "I'm trying not to think about it."

"He seems different with you," Maya reassured, coming to sit down next her.

Smackle nodded in agreement, although she really had no idea, taking the open space on the other side of Riley. Maya had finished with her hair, so they were all waiting on Sarah.

Sarah and Darby shared a look, the kind of look that communicates so much between two best friends.

"But..." Sarah began hesitantly, "Don't you think every girl before thought the same? That they were different?"

"I'm sure Missy didn't," Maya mumbled.

Riley pinched her for saying it, knowing that Missy did hold a special, albeit platonic, place in Lucas' heart meant that she no longer felt the burning jealousy for the blonde and didn't want to hear anyone insult Lucas' friend. It helped knowing she was off in California with her soulmate, too. Definitely no competition there.

Maya rubbed the spot where Riley pinched her. "I wonder if Charlie knows about our Riley's latest romantic developments? It will make for an interesting night if he doesn't."

"Why do you say that?" Smackle asked.

Sarah and Darby exchanged looks again before simultaneously bursting into laughter.

"He only has like the biggest crush ever on Riley!" Darby spit out between laughs. "I swear he is so obvious about it, he was actually relieved he didn't get his scar!"

Riley rolled her eyes. "I keep telling him I don't care about him like that, but he seems to think my feelings might change."

"Or he thinks a certain tattoo will change them for you," Sarah cut in.

Riley rubbed her scar spot on her arm, the thought of it reading Charles Gardner, or anyone other than Lucas for that matter, making her sick to her stomach.

"There's no way Charlie is my soulmate. We have never had any sort of connection whatsoever."

Maya agreed. "If Riles ended up with him, she would be sitting on her hands for the rest of her life. She needs someone who pushes her."

"Someone like Lucas?" Sarah prodded.

Riley's blush grew crimson in color and they all burst into shrieks and giggles, their conversation devolving into throwing popcorn and pillows at one another.

When the guys arrived at 6:30, Charlie was glaring at Lucas, who was pointedly ignoring him, and Maya was shocked to see Josh helping the group with their bags.

"What are you doing here so early, Boing?"

"I didn't see the point in trying to hook up later. Justin is going to some noisy frat party, and I didn't want to have to drag him away or navigate my way over here by my drunken self later."

Farkle clapped him on the back. "Plus he and his fake id came in handy when Yogi's older brother bailed on us."

Riley walked over to Lucas, helping him with the pizza boxes.

"You want to put your stuff in the room we slept in before?" she murmured quietly. Everyone knew about them, so she saw no point in hiding, but she didn't want to rub it in Charlie's face.

"You assuming we're sleeping together, Princess? I'm not easy!" Lucas teased, pretending to sound offended.

"Believe me, Friar, there's nothing easy about you, but if you don't want to share a room with me..."

"No," Lucas cut her off as he followed her out of the kitchen and away from Gardner's prying eyes. "We can share. I like sharing."

Riley laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."

After he set his bags down, he pulled her into his arms, giving her a sweet kiss.

"Hi." he murmured.

"Hi," she whispered back.

"I've missed you."

"I just saw you two days ago," Riley replied, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, but we weren't alone together. Between this Katy and Shawn scheme of yours and Zay staring into Sarah's stupid eyes, I haven't been alone with you since Christmas Eve."

Riley looked over her shoulder, glancing around the room. "We're alone now."

"So we are," Lucas grinned at her, wrapping his arms around her again as he kissed her softly.

Riley chuckled into the kiss before pulling away with a pout.

"What's wrong, Riles?" Lucas asked, trying to sound serious, but his smile gave him away.

"I spent all day with a group of girls who gushed over their Christmas pretties from their soulmates, and my boyfriend didn't get me anything."

"Your boyfriend? Who's he?"

Riley blushed, pulling away from him. "I didn't mean you were my boyfriend. I just meant that we are li- like dating or whatever. We're, uh, talking or, or-"

Lucas grabbed her arm, turning her around. "You can call me your boyfriend, Riles."

"It doesn't have to mean anything," Riley rushed to assure him. "I just-"

Lucas kissed her on the cheek. "It means something, at least to me."

Riley blushed. "Me, too. So... you're my boyfriend."

"And you're my girlfriend."

Riley nodded. "So we're boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"Not yet."

"We're not?"

"Not until..." Lucas whipped out a necklace from his pocket, dangling it high above her head. "You wear this."

Riley reached up and grabbed the silver locket.

"I know it's not much, but I thought-"

"Pretty," Riley whispered in awe.

"It's just a locket."

"Pretty," Riley insisted, putting the locket on. She opened it, examining the contents. "I don't get it."

Inside the locket where a picture belonged was a ripped up page from a book. She unfolded the small piece of paper and read, "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."

"It's Wuthering Heights. I was reading it on the Subway the day we first met."

"You were reading Wuthering Heights? In seventh grade?" Riley asked incredulously.

Lucas shrugged. "I was trying to convince my parents to let me go back to Texas. Wuthering Heights was on the bonus summer reading list for Martino's class at my old school. I thought if I read every book on it... I don't know what I thought."

Riley snapped the locket closed. "I love it."

Lucas smiled. "That's what you said to me that day, too. You fell into my lap, and for the first time, I understood what Bronte and all those other writers were talking about."

"Then why did you stand me up for our class assignment? We were paired together, and you just never showed."

"I was scared. I'm not anymore."

"I'm not either," Riley said, fingering the locket as she leaned up to kiss him.

"Come on, Riles! You two are missing the party!" Maya called from the hallway.

Lucas turned toward the door. "See!" Lucas groaned. "We are never alone!"

Charlie had spent the last hour or so of the party brooding and glaring at Riley and Lucas. When Yogi told him the two of them were becoming close, Charlie could hardly believe it, but he'd gone to the bakery and saw them skip off hand in hand, leaving an older brunette man and Maya's mom staring at each other, he figured there must be some truth to it.

At the pizzeria, he asked Lucas what his intentions were, and Lucas informed him that he and Riley were none of his concern. Charlie sighed pitifully as he heard Riley's feminine giggle, followed by a deep throaty chuckle from Lucas.

Zay rolled his eyes from his spot on the couch, Sarah firmly on his lap. He normally would mind his own business, but he owed a lot to Riley and Lucas. Lucas had been his friend for a long time, and even though they hadn't spoken in years, he quickly opened his home to him and allowed him to stay for as long as he needed to. Riley wasn't kidding when she said Sarah would love the necklace. The silver cage locket housed a piece of teal sea glass, the metal swirls surrounded it, making it a one of a kind design, and perfect for Sarah's more bohemian style.

Giving her the gift had been the perfect way to break the ice, Sarah squealed when she saw the Nebula's Necklaces design on the box and wrapped him in a warm hug before she had even seen the necklace itself. He owed Riley.

"Listen, Chuckie-"

"It's Charlie."

"Whatever. You're going to have to get over this infatuation with the Matthews girl," Zay stated, matter-of-factly, while Sarah nodded in agreement.

"Look, Isaiah."

"It's Zay."

"I've been watching Lucas go through girls for the past 5 years. Eventually, he's going to get tired of Riley, too, and I'll be there to pick up the pieces."

Charlie kept his gaze focused on the couple. Lucas was sitting on the countertop with Riley standing between his legs, casually sipping a beer. Riley held the attention of everyone in the kitchen as she told a story, moving her hands rapidly in her excitement.

"That seems a bit... manipulative," Sarah said carefully. "Besides, shouldn't Riley have a say in it?"

"She does," Charlie confirmed. "But I'm a very patient man. In a few weeks, we'll end up being soulmates, and she'll realize we belong together."

Zay rolled his eyes. "You seem awfully confident for a guy who doesn't have the girl."

"Yet."

Farkle came to sit next to the group. "I think Riley's finally found someone who makes her happy, and as her friends, we should be happy for her."

"I am happy for her," Charlie insisted. "I just think Lucas is going to hurt her."

The group focused their attention on Lucas, who was staring at Riley with a dazed grin on his face as she finished telling her story.

"I've known Lucas for a long time, and I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at that little elf," Zay said confidently. "I think we should just let the Riley and Lucas story unfold the way it's meant to."

Smackle nodded in agreement. "I may not have known Riley or Lucas as long as the rest of you, and I'm just starting to understand this soulmate thing, but I think you can't force someone to feel something they just don't feel. Tattoo or no tattoo."

Charlie sighed, turning to Yogi and Darby who had stayed pretty silent throughout the exchange. Looking for someone to be on his side, he pointed at the two of them, saying, "But you two were friends until you got your scars."

Yogi shook his head. "I have always been in love with Darbs."

"You have?" Darby asked, promptly forgetting everyone else in the room.

"Of course I have. You've always been my best friend, the best part of my life. The tattoo didn't make me love you, it just gave me the courage to admit it."

"Aw... Yogi Bear!" Darby cooed, giving him a big hug. "I love you, too!"

"So you're saying I should give up on Riley?" Charlie asked, used to the couple's antics, he ignored their sudden bout of pda.

Yogi looked at his best friend, careful to gauge his reaction. He really didn't want to hurt him. "I'm saying, if you and Riley were meant to be, she wouldn't be over there with someone else."

Charlie sighed, finishing the rest of his drink. He took one long look at the Riley and Lucas, who were oblivious to everyone around them, before standing up. "I think I'm just going to go home."

Darby stood up, following him to the door. "Don't be like this, Charlie. Just stay."

"Yeah," Yogi said, walking over after them. "We all want you to stay."

Charlie shrugged into his coat. "No, I think it's time for me to go. If I'm going to be ready for my soulmate someday, I can't be pining for some other girl when she finally shows up."

Sarah walked over and gave him a hug. "Call us tomorrow. We can do something super fun."

Charlie nodded in agreement as he called, "Bye, everybody!"

Riley skipped over from the kitchen. "You're leaving?"

Charlie nodded, giving her an earnest look. "I think it's time, don't you?"

"Charlie."

"Happiness looks good on you, Matthews," he said, looking deep into her eyes. "You are happy, aren't you, Riley?"

She nodded solemnly. "Very much so."

"That's all I've ever wanted. I just wanted it to be with me."

Everyone had the decency to migrate over to the kitchen, leaving the two alone by the door.

"I know, Charlie, and I wish I felt the same way you do, but I just don't. I'm sorry, but that doesn't mean you have to leave."

Charlie nodded. "I know, but I'm going to anyway. Can I just ask you one question? Why Lucas?"

Riley's hands subconsciously went to her locket, she smiled softly as she said, "Our souls are the same."

Josh was annoyed. Despite himself, he had spent the last month annoyed. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, Maya seemed determined to brush him off. She was receptive enough to him, allowing him to hold her, to kiss her, but she wasn't the same Maya she had been before her birthday.

She didn't jump on his back or tease him about what their children would look like. She didn't initiate kisses or touches, and none of her smiles ever reached her eyes. She had wanted to be his soulmate from the minute they met, and for some reason, it wasn't enough for her. He didn't seem to be enough for her. He thought they were headed in the right direction when she spent the night with him on Christmas Eve, but it was the only night she had spent with him.

Most every night she was at his house, but she chose to spend all her free time with Riley. He was fine with it, for the most part, because he was well aware of the special connection they shared. He never wanted to get in between that, but he wanted his soulmate to actually want to spend time with him.

Finally, he had had enough, pulling Maya upstairs to the bedroom they were going to be sharing.

"Okay, Maya, I've tried to be patient and understanding and all that crap. I really have, but come on, what's your deal?" he asked when they were alone, sounding exasperated.

"My deal?" she replied, putting her hand on her hip.

"Yeah, I get that this soulmate thing isn't exactly what you thought it would be, but for someone who has wanted us together for as long as you have, I'd have thought you'd at least try to be into it."

"What?"

"Seriously, I'm the only one actually trying to make this work."

"Are you joking?" Maya asked, eyebrows raised.

"No. Now tell me what's going on. For real."

"I wanted you to want to be my soulmate," Maya admitted as she sat down on the bed.

Josh came and sat next to her. "Of course I wanted to be your soulmate. Why do you think I was at your birthday party?"

Maya rolled her eyes. "You say that now that we're already soulmates, but if my name wasn't written on your arm, you never would have never picked me."

"What?"

Maya looked down at her hands, refusing to make eye contact. "I bought a band. If the universe didn't think we were right for each other, I was going to abandon destiny and try to be with you anyways but you wouldn't do that for me, would you?"

"So you're mad at me because you think I wouldn't have picked you if we weren't soulmates? But we are soulmates. You're mad about something that will never happen, something I can't change. I don't know what I would've done because it didn't happen. I can tell you I would have given up my soulmate to be with you, but you won't believe me."

"Because you wouldn't! Riley told me you wouldn't!"

"Oh, so you believe Riley, but you don't believe me!"

Maya stood up. "Riley has no reason to lie to me!"

"That's insane! I can't say I would give up my soulmate for you because you are my soulmate! Did it ever occur to you that the reason you felt that way, like you would give up on your tattoo, is because we are, in fact, soulmates?"

"So you think that neither one of us has a say in the matter at all? That the universe is making all the decisions all along? That our feelings aren't even ours?"

"I'm saying you think too much," Josh replied. "I'm saying everything has been great between us. It all worked out. We're together now! Why can't you be happy with what we have?"

"Because I'm not!" Maya cried. "I'm always going to wonder if you wanted me for me or because of this!"

She raised her arm up, gesturing to her tattoo.

"What do you want me to do about that? How can I convince you that I have had feelings for you for a long time?"

"You can't," Maya sighed, sounding defeated as she rushed out of the room.

Josh chased after her, but the slam of the bathroom door effectively ended the conversation. He punched the door jam and pleaded with Maya to open up, but she turned on the radio Darby kept in there and ignored him.

When Josh pulled Maya upstairs, the party began to break off in couples. Zay and Sarah were swaying slowly to the quiet music coming from a Bluetooth speaker as they spoke softly to one another. Darby and Yogi were cuddled up in a recliner, sharing drunken sloppy kisses, stopping frequently due to Darby's giggling. Farkle was sitting on the edge of the couch, watching TV, waiting for the ball to drop, idly stroking Smackle's hair as she lightly snored, spread out across the couch with her head in his lap.

Lucas and Riley sat at the bar, more focused on each other than anything else. Lucas took Riley's drink, finishing it off before setting the glass on the countertop.

"Come on," Lucas whispered, pulling her up to their room.

Lucas closed the door behind them, not even bothering to turn on the light, his lips seeking out hers. He kissed her soundly, his mouth firm and sure of its movements, as he walked her backward. Her legs hit the mattress, and she allowed him to lay her down. He followed suit, never breaking the kiss, ending up on top of Riley, carefully resting his weight on his forearms so as not to crush her.

He ran his fingers along her stomach, kissing her jaw, her neck, her ear. She ran her hands over his back, gripping his shirt tightly as she spread her legs, allowing his hips to settle between them. She wrapped her calves around his lower back, tangling her hands in his hair. Lucas sat up pulling away from her slightly. He slid one hand over the top of her pants to rub her bare hipbone, and with the other hand, he skipped to the middle of her pants. He found the snap of her jeans, unbuttoning them deftly.

"Lucas," Riley panted. "Slow down."

"Riles, I just want to make you feel good," he whispered, moving her top up so he could kiss her stomach.

"You do make me feel good, but I'm not ready for more than kissing," Riley moaned when his tongue swirled around her belly button. She sat up, pushing him off her gently.

"Why? Because I'm not your soulmate?" Lucas asked, getting annoyed.

"What?" Riley asked, confused. "If we become soulmates in three weeks, I'm still not going to be ready for that. I'm only a sophomore! It has nothing to do with the mark."

"I thought you wanted to be with me," Lucas sighed.

"I do! Lucas, is this all about sex?" Riley questioned, wrapping her arms around herself.

"No. I just want to know you want to be with me for the rest of our lives, no matter what happens in three weeks."

"And if I sleep with you you'll know?" Riley asked incredulously.

"No. I'm sorry. Riley, you know I would never pressure you into anything like that. I just want to know how you feel about me."

"We didn't even decide to be together until tonight!"

"Yogi and Darby are going to be together forever. Smackle is wearing that promise ring."

"Yeah, but-"

"But what?" Lucas asked, standing up. "They're soulmates? Everything is going to change when you get that mark and you know it!"

Riley buttoned her pants back up, stood up, and grabbed Lucas by the forearms. "The only thing that is going to change is that everyone is going to know what I already know."

"What's that?"

"That we're meant to be!" she shrieked desperately.

"But what if we're not? What if you don't get that scar?" Lucas shot back, just as desperate. "Why can't you promise me forever now?"

"I can. I can promise you that. Because I know we belong together."

"Damnit, you're not listening to me, Riley!" Lucas ran an aggravated hand through his hair. "Let's get banded."

"What? I can't do that Lucas."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to! Because I'll be proud of my scar! Because I know it's going to be you!"

"But what if it's not? Why can't you believe in me?"

"And why can't you believe in us?" Riley cried, fists clenched at her sides, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'm not going to get a scar, Riley. I'm just not," Lucas said, sounding defeated. "And if the only way you'll be with me is if I have one, we should just break up."

"Break up? We just got together!"

"Decide. Right now. Me or your soulmate."

"You are my soulmate, Lucas! I know you are!" Riley reached for his hand, but he pulled away, walking toward the door. "Lucas, don't leave. Please."

"Riley, I'm in love with you, but I'm never going to be what you want me to be," Lucas said, extracting himself from her.

Riley stood there in shock. Lucas Friar was in love with her. He was in love with her, but he didn't think she was his soulmate. Her heart hurt so much she felt like her chest was going to explode as she watched him grab his bag and walk out the door.

"Lucas..."

"Goodbye, Riley."

"Lucas, please! I just- wait! Can't we talk about this?" Riley shouted.

"There's nothing left to say!" he called over his shoulder.

She chased after him, but he was too fast, down the stairs and out the door before she could say or do anything. She stood in the hallway, crying her eyes out, unsure of what to do. That's where she was when Josh found her.

"Hey," she mumbled with a sniffle.

"What happened to not meddling, Riley?"

"What?" Riley asked, wiping at her nose.

"Maya tells me that she will never believe I truly want her because you told her I wouldn't have picked her!"

"Oh, Josh!" Riley cried, running into his arms. "I'm so sorry!"

Josh felt his anger deflate the minute he assessed the state his niece was in.

"It's okay, Riles. We'll work it out," he murmured encouragingly as he patted her back.

"I've ruined everything!" she sobbed.

He turned her to the bathroom, pounding repeatedly on the door. "No, you haven't."

Raising his voice to be heard over the music, he called, "Maya!"

"I don't want to talk right now," Maya shouted from the other side.

"I know. It's not me. It's Riley."

Maya turned the music off. It was deadly silent on the other side of the door as the blonde tried to decide if Josh was being sincere. She cracked open the door, peeking out at them. When she saw her best friend sobbing in Josh's arms, she immediately swung the door open all the way.

"Honey!" she cooed, taking Riley from Josh.

Their eyes met over Riley's head. "Can you take us home?"

Josh nodded. "Where's Lucas?"

Riley's only answer was to sob louder. Maya gathered their things.

"Boing, obviously something happened between them. Something bad."

"Ri, I thought you guys decided to go steady tonight?" Josh asked.

"We did! He doesn't think we'll be soulmates, and I do!" she told them, her voice breaking as she wailed.

"What's going on?" Sarah asked as she walked up the stairs, Farkle following close behind. "Lucas just stomped out of here and Zay went after him."

"They got into a fight. Come on, Riles, Josh will take us home."

Sarah shook her head. "No, you guys need to stay here. We've all been drinking. Zay will bring Lucas back, and everything will be fine. You'll see. He'll apologize for being an ass, and everything will be fine."

Sarah guided the girls back to a bedroom, shutting the door before the guys could follow, leaving Farkle and Josh out in the hallway.

"So..."

"This is awkward," Josh finished for him, sliding down the wall to sit next to the door.

"Read any good books lately?" Farkle asked, sitting down next to him.

Josh sighed, putting his head in his hands. After a moment, he snapped his head back up. "Books! Farkle, you're a genius!"

"So I've been told."

"I've got to call my mom," Josh said excitedly, starting to get up when Farkle grabbed him, pulling him back down.

"You might want to wait until a more appropriate time," Farkle advised, pointing at his watch.

"Another great idea!"

"Yeah, I'm just full of them," Farkle deadpanned.

After Riley got done explaining what had happened to Maya and Sarah they both seemed to understand why Lucas was acting the way he had.

"Am I missing something?" Riley asked, having calmed down a bit.

"Well," Sarah said carefully, "I don't know the whole story, but Zay says there's a reason why Lucas is so anti-soulmates. It's not you, Riley."

Maya nodded in agreement. "Sarah, do you mind giving us the room? I have something I need to tell Riley."

"Sure. I'll call Zay and see if he's found Lucas yet," Sarah said, exiting the room.

"I probably should have told you before, but it wasn't my secret to tell. It still isn't, but I think you need to hear it."

"Hear what?"

"Riley, Lucas isn't going to get a tattoo," Maya said seriously.

"How can you possibly know that?"

"No one in his family has ever gotten one. No one."

"No one?"

"Not even the family pig," Maya said, shaking her head sadly.

"So it's not because he doesn't believe in the way we feel about each other?"

Maya shook her head.

"And he really does love me?"

Maya nodded.

Riley's face morphed into a huge smile, which quickly faded as she realized the weight of her words.

"So if I really want to be with Lucas, I have to give up on the idea of being with my soulmate? I have to turn my back on everything I was ever raised to believe?"

Maya sighed, wrapping an arm around her. "You don't have to decide anything tonight, babe."

"No, it's already too late. Lucas said now or never! But I didn't know what he meant," she whimpered. "What should I do, Maya?"

"Do you love him, Riles?"

"More than I could ever imagine..." Riley answered seriously. "How could he not be my soulmate? I thought we were meant to be..."

"Maybe you're just meant to be in a different way."

Their conversation was interrupted by the beeping of Riley's phone.

"Happy New Year, Peaches."

"Happy New Year, Honey... Look on the bright side, they say how you start the year is how you're going to end it, and I would rather end my year with you than anyone else on the planet."

"Me, too, Peaches."

Zay found Lucas a few blocks away, furiously kicking a trash can.

"Luc! Calm down!"

"Just go back to the party, Zay," Lucas said, walking away.

"I can't just leave you."

"Go back to Sarah," Lucas called over his shoulder, picking up his pace.

"I don't want to be the kind of person that ditches his friends when they need him just to spend time with my soulmate," Zay responded, falling into step with his blonde friend.

"Well, I don't need you. I don't need anyone."

Zay shook his head, laughing softly. "We both know that's not true. We both know you need Riley."

"But she doesn't need me. She needs her soulmate," Lucas spit out.

"Why don't you just tell her about your family? Give her the chance to choose you."

"Because she won't. She's convinced we're soulmates, and when she realizes we aren't, she's going to leave me."

"So you're leaving her first."

"I'm just trying to stop the bleeding."

"I don't get it. You two were fine a couple of hours ago. You were being all cute and lovey-dovey, making us all sick. You've been drinking. You both said things you didn't mean-"

"That's just it, Zay!" Lucas shouted, turning to face her. "I meant every word. I'm not that drunk. I'm in love with her, but it just never will be enough. She'll wind up resenting me. Even if she doesn't get her scar now, she'll get it eventually, and no matter how happy I make her, she'll always wonder. I love her too much to put her through that kind of pain."

"I think the problem is you don't want to put yourself through that kind of pain. Don't let your past get in the way of your future."

"You don't know Riley like I do. Her whole family is the complete opposite of mine. We like to pretend the scars don't exist, but they... they revolve their lives around them. Every single one of them has one, even her baby brother. Her parents got them when they were three for crying out loud!"

Zay clapped him on the back, laughing despite himself. "If Asher and Dylan could see you now, Lucas Friar in love with a girl from the most mark obsessed family on the planet!"

"I'm glad you find my pain amusing."

"I'm sorry, man. Maybe her good family mojo will balance out all your bad, and you'll get a scar after all. Maybe you just need to hold onto that belief for a few more days."

Lucas shook his head sadly. "There's nothing left to hold onto. It's over."

It was midnight. A new year. A fresh start, but Lucas' heart was heavy with the notion that he would be making that start without Riley. Both boys walked silently back to their house as the whole city celebrated around them.

AN: God, this chapter was so hard to write. I don't like leaving my babies in turmoil. I hope y'all don't hate me too much! (And remember, happy endings!) I hope your New Year's is better than the gang's! See you soon!